Device for counting articles of different kinds



June 29 1926. 1,590,587

J. HLTERMAND DEVICE FOR COUNTING ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT KINDS Filed Jan. 1o, 1924 4 sheets-Sheet 1 mld-MLN SWAWWvUMS.

June 29 1926. 1,590,687

J. HLTERMAND DEVICE FCR COUNTING ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT KINDS Filed Jan. lO, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 JVM June 29,1926. n 1,590,687

J. HLTERMAND v DEVICE FOR COUNTING ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT KINDS Filed Jan. l0, 1924 4 Sheets-Shet 5 /NVENTEz ENS HLTezM/wo June 29 1926. 1,590,687

J. HLTERMAND DEVICE FOR COUHTING ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT KINDS /NVENTo/Qr TENS HLTEE MAND Patented June 29, 1926. 1,590,687

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.TENS HLTERMAND, OF AARHUS, DENMARK.

DEVICE FOR COUNTING ARTICLES OF DIFFERENT KINDS.

Application led January 10, 1924, Serial No. 685,415, and in Czechoslovakia. July 26, 1923.

This invention relates to a device for Figure 6 is a horizontal section of the counting articles oi? different kinds, the degroup countei and the key-board for oper vice having a plurality of counting units ating the same. 50

which in a simple and reliable manner can Figure 7 is a vertical section on a larger i be put inaction selectively to specify the scale through part or the group counter,

number of each kind of articles. Figures 8 and 9 are elevations of some of This counting device may for instance be the counter operating members. used in combination with or forni a part of 55 1 :7 l 7 Iv', ,v the cloth marking machine described in my The fm ne of the 7mo me W ite-pending application Serial Number The freine of the machine includes two 592,890, in which case the count-ing device vertical Side plates P2 and P3 which at their will Serve t COUD the ClOhS marked by upper ends are connected to each other by sach machine according to groups (suoli as means of e boxdike frame p1, while the low- 00 shirts, towels, sheets, etc). The counting @moet ends of the side plates are rigidly device may, however, be used for other siininterconnected by ineens of cross-beams P5 ilar purposes. i and P11 and screw-bolts P12. At the left In addition to the counting units correhund eide 0f the plates P2 and P37 Figure spending to the various kinds of articies to 1, the spnce between these plates is covered 55 be numbered respectively the counting deby e screen P13, and the right, hand side of vice may include a totalizing mechanism, i. the plates a similar screen P14 is arranged. c. a counter adapted to indicate the total The side phites are provided et. then` innei` in of the figures Set up by the Said COHD- surface with reinforcing Webs P1i1 in which units at any time. The counting device the bearings for soine of the shafts of the A:Iso preferably is provided with a printingY machine are foi-ined Extending outwards hanisin by ineens of which one or more from the side plete P2 is a. horizont-1 freine -rinted records of the items set up by the R3, Figures 2 and 3, which is secured to the counting' device may be taken. said side plate by the said screw bolts P12 @n the drawing there is shown an eniand a. screw P17. The above mentioned 75 hodin'ient oit the invention which is able to freine members P2, P3, P5, P11 and R3 bear E work as an entirely independent counting by means of a horizontal web P18 upon the machine, but in which the frame of the deuppermost. edge of a casing` R2 and are sevice is particularly adapted to accommodate cured to the seine by screws R4, and this the Working elements (perforator, knotter, casing R2 is by screws R5 secured to the base 30 etc.) of e marking machine of the type deframe R1, which may be clamped upon any scribed in my said co-pending application, suitable foundation by anchoring bolts Re,

these Working elements themselves being, Figure 3.

however, omitted as they form no part 0f In the space between the side plates P2 the present invention. and Ps is arranged a oanrsector O1 adapted 95 Figure l is an elevation of the countingr to swing downwards from the position 40 hne, partially in vertical section along' shown iIi full lines in Figure l to the posithe iine ifi-A in Figure tion shown in dotted lines and back again. Figure 2 is a vertical section along the The downward swing of the cam sector is cl3-P I; Figure 3. e'ected bv operating a oot-peda1'012 which 90 is a t p vieiv of the machine. is pivote on shaft O11 and connected by Figures a' and 'i are cross-sections of the means of a link rod O1* and pivots O13 and group counter and the totalizing niecha- O15 to the cain-sector O1. The foot-pedal nit-ein respectively.

works in. Slots R1 in the base frame R1 and the casing R2. The upward swing ot the cam-secto1- is eiiiected ly a spring @im connected by a pin O17 to the cam-sector and by a pin O18 to the side plate P2. The upward and downward motions ot the canrsector are limited by stop bars @19 and @20 respectively which are rigidlyv secured between the side plates.

This canrsector @1 is adapted to Yactuate the counting devices of the n'iacliine.

At the side of the plate P2 facing away from the side plate P3 is mounted a counter casing; Q1, Figures 1 7, `forming; a vertical cylindrical chamber 'for receiving,i the numeral discs ol? the group counter and the totalizing mechanism. This counter casing- Q1 is prov'ided with tour lugs QG secured to the side plate P2 by means ot' screws which are inserted through holes in this plate and screwed into threaded bores Q8, Figure 5 in said lugs QG. The bottom opening 'of casing Q1 is covered by the top wall of a trame Vmember Q2, which is tl-shaped in cross-section and atk the bottom thereoi is provided with a bearing` QF for a vertical shaft 34 to be further described in the jollowing.

The group counter.

'lhe essential elements and operation ot the group counter will first be explained whereatter the detailed construction ot the same ifs to be described.

plurality ot numeral' rings 2P) corro sponding to the various kinds or groups ot articles tobe counted are placed on a vertif :al tube 2st mounted within the counter casing Q1, Figures 2 and 'llhe outer side ot the rings are furnished with 1.".fares from one upwards. The drawing shows twentyeight figures, and the device shown can accordingly only number twenty-eight pieces otl each group or kind oit the specitication. The inner side ot the rings are furnished with teeth 25 the number and distances oit which correspond to the 'figures 25 on the outer side. and a pawl Q7, which is moved whenever the machine counts one piece, turns the ringby op@rating` on the teeth ot the inner side ot the rings thus making another ligure appear at 28 which is a long vertical slot in a plate 529, and the figures ot' the ring thus successively are brought into alignment with the trout side-ot1 plate 29 which is a` stereotype plate on Awhich opposite each ring is a. term tor the kind of articles in the sp'eciication to be numbered by the ringA in question. A s is efident from Figures Q and kthe tubey i hasy a long,l slot B0 through which the pawl 27 passes and engages with theY rings. Between each pair of rings is afplate ring 3l, engaging with the longslot inthe tube 2i by a tongue 32; YConsequently the plate ring cannot turn round on they tube, thus preventing the ring which is turned,

from moving the adjacent numeral rino. i space 33 is also created for the pawl Q7 iendering,` the operating` more secure and also preventing it from moving an adjacent ring. Pawl 27 may not only be swung to shift the numeral rings, but it is also selectively adw justable in a vertical direction so that it can be made to engage with any rino, and thus nui'nber any desired kind oi the articles ot a batch. rllhe means for swinging` and raisingJ or loweringI the paw] 27 will be described in the following. Vv hen all ot' the articles of. an order have been numbered an inl; ribbon is pressed against the plate 29 and the tigures or types Q6 of the numeral rings apgearing in the slot 28. litters piece oit a paper roll has been pressed against plate 29, and torn off it represents a detailed record of the articles numbered by the machine. illhen the contents of an order have been numbered the counting device must be replaced in its Zero position. By turning tube 24- to the right round its axis on the plane ot the drawing- (Figure si) the numeral rings on the tuber will also be turned. On the outer side each ring .is furnished a projection 35. It a ring has not beenfmoved during the counting` or been moved but a small amount it will` tollow the tube on being turned, until the projection, catches against the opposite edge or plate 29 when the tube will continue to turn without the ring. A stop is furnished on the tube to prevent it being turnedv more than till the projection 35 ot a ring which has not been moved durinn' the ounting' catches the opposite edge oi: plate 2S. ililiien the tube is turned so 'tar round as permitted by the stop all the rings will be in the saine position on the tube, and on turni-.ngl the tube bac-lr tothe position shown on the plan all theA rings will 'follow and the Acounter be in its Zero position.

The. tube ls, is supported at its lower reed end upon the stationary traine mein i Figure 2. and is provided at its upd with an end wall having a hollow "i lill which is guided in the top portion the counter casing' Q1 and outside the latt Ytui-nished with a crank N3 that is secured to the hub by a pin N2 and provided with a handle lli, so that the tube may be turned hand. lihen the counter operi the tube should be locked in the pon shown in 2&7, and for this purpose crank bis is provider with a spring i. issed pawl l, Figure 2, which engages a depression for ned in the upper side ot the counter casing' 0.1. The pawl i5 is provided with a head liG by means of which tl'ie pawl may be lifted to thereby release crank llx and tube Q4. rlhe plate rings 3l arranged alternately with the` numeral rings, 23 are provided atthe'ir inner periphery with pr.o jections (not shown) which tit in circumferential grooves if?? tanned in the outer suliiace this coi'istruction sleeve N51 is free to slide vertically on shaft 34,` while the latter is compelled to 'follow the turning movements of the sleeve. rllhe upper end of shaft 3st is guided in a bore in hub N1, while the eentral part ot the shait and the lowermost end are guided in the 'lrame member Q2.v The sha'lt Se is supported by means of the above mentioned arn'i N15 which bears against bearing Q5 'lformed on the lowermost end of trame member Q5.

is above n'ientioned the pawl 2T is adjustable in vertical direction so that the pawl may be brought to engage any desired numeral ring 23. y1he vertical adjustment of pawl 2l' is controlled by keys S1 and actually etl'ected by means of sleeve N51, but

since the latter always pert'ormsiull strokesv up and down means must be provided for releasing pawl 27 from sleeve N51 when the pawl reaches the desired numeral ring. The construction and operation ot the keys S1 with associated parts will be fully described in the following, but it is to be remarked here, that each key corresponds to separate kind of articles, and when a key is depressed and a carriage NG4 is moved downwards at the downward stroke of cam-sector O1 and sleeve N51 the motion of said carriage will stop when it reaches the depressed key, and then the carriage through certain operating members releases the driving connection between pawl 27 and sleeve N51, so that the pawl is stopped in a position opposite to the numeral ring Q3 corresponding` to the depressed key.

The ineens for obtaining this result will now be described. rEhe arm N55 carrying the pawl 27 is by means of a rod N55 Figures 2, 8 and 9 connected to a sleeve N47 loosely mounted on sha'lit Se above sleeve N51. The rod N55 is slidable in a longitudinal groove itorn'ied in shat't 3st, Figures el and G, and is provided. at its upper yend with a. hook N54 Figure 2, which engages the pawl carrying arm N55, weile the rod at its lowermost end is furnished with a hook N55, Figures S and 9, which engages a horizontalI slot in sleeve N47 so that the latter may remain unallected by the turning movements of sha'l't 3l, and ou the other hand pawl carrying arm N55 and sleeve N47 will move vertically as a unit. ri`he sleeves N17 and N51 may be connected together by means oi' a locking pawl N4S which is mounted on sleeve N51 upon a pivot N49 and provided at its upper end with a hook adapted to engage aV projection N50 on sleeve N47. rlhis sleeve N47 is provided with an outwardly projecting arm carrying a detent N mounted on pivot screw N51 and adapted to maintain the locking pawl Nts in the position shown in Figure 8, in which sleeve N47 (and thereby also pawl 2?) is compelled to follow` the vertical', motionsl of" sleeve., N51'. The. detent, N52 is by means of a link i755 connected to a lever N57 swinging on a pivot N55 which is secured on the side plate P2. The lever N57 is by means of a link rod N52 connected to the above mentioned carriage N1JIIAL which is provided with a spring pressed push projection N57. lvl/Then the cam sector O1 and sleeve N51 are moved downwardly, the pawl carrying arm N 55 and the carriage N61 are also moved dowi'iwardly, and as soon as projection N67 on carriage NG1 reaches a projection on the depressed key of the keyboar( the swinging motion of lever N57 will cease, and since sleeve N 51 continues its downward stroke the detent N52 will release locking pawl N15, so that the movement ot sleeve N17 is immediately stopped. Hereby the pawl carrying arm N55, Figure 2, is also stopped and the pawl 27 is 'thus adjusted opposite to the numeral ring 23 corresponding to the depressed key S1, and since sleeve N31 is turned when it reaches tno lowermost part ot' its path the shaft Se will rock, whereby pawllshifts the numeral ring around tube 2%. Simultaneously pawl B52, Figure 5, will actuate the numeral ring (or numeral rings N9 so that the three numeral rings N9 at any time indicate the total number ot' doublestrokes ot cam sector G1 or in other words the sum oif the figures presented by the various numeral rings in slot- 28, Figure t. At the return stroke (upward stroke) of camscctor 01 tbe sleeve N51, l `igures l and 9, again engages sleeve N17, and these sleeves are then locked together by means of locke ing pawl which engages projection N 5, while detent N52 at the initial upward movement o1 sleeve N47 locks the locking pawl N15. The sleeves N51 and N47 thereupon move jointly and carry pawl 27 and carriage N4 up to their normal positions as shown in Figure 2. The swinging movements odetent N52 is limited by means o inturned lips N1SS provided on the same and arranged to engage opposite sides of the arm projecting from sleeve N47. In Figures 8 and 9 the reference character NG9 designates a spring pressed snap ball accommodated in a bore in said firm and adapted to engage one or the other of two depressions produced in detent N52 to thereby maintain the same in one or the other of its extreme posit-ions. The movement o'locking pawl N1'8 is limited by a pin N70 secured in sleeve N 51 andv engaging a slot in the locking pawl.

As above stated when the contents ot' an order have been counted the count-er must be reset into the zero position before a fresh order can be dealt with. This is done by means of the handle N 1, Figure 9.. rllhe snap pawl N5 is.v released, and then tube ecarry-A ing the numeral rings 23 and ND is turned loy ineans o crank N 3ein a countjeiclockvise direction, Figure 2, Yuntil gareel; N5. isy

stopped by engaging a stop plate Y73 se. cured upon the counter casing Q1. Hereby the projections on the rings 23 will Succes'sivelj/ engage the stopping edge N74, Fij'urc ll', olf the strreotypic plate 29, and simi .Afuicously the three pawls N14. Figure 5, will engage those notches N12 which appear in slot 19 and which through the rotation ct tube suctesi:self-.fv are moved to engagement with the pawls, wherebjyy further turningr movement of the numeral rings N9 is prevented. The crank N3 is then turned in the opposite direction to engage the opposite end of stop plate N"9.r All, et the rino-s 23 will then occupy the position shown inr Figure il, in which no ligures .26S are visible through slot 2S, and the num` eral rings N9 will indicate the figures 000 in slot 28. The counter is thus adjusted 1n the zero position, and a fresh counting operation may begin.

a Zocring/ devices for the tithe carri/ng the mime/ml rifers.

lt will be understood from the foregoing that the crank N3 must not be turned in a clockwise direction before it has engaged stop plate N79 at the end of the counterclockwise turningr movement. To prevent incidental turning of tube. 24 the same is provided with a collar N79, 2 and (3. having' teeth N15 and two curved notches N11. This collar is adapted to coact with a` pawl N19 pivotally mounted on stud N19 secured on the counter casing Q1 in the openf Q1; vhis pawl is normally held in the ition shown in full lines in Figure G a spring N99, one end ot which engages he pawl while the other end is connected t The notches N77 are so positioned that when crank N9, Figure 8, eno'ages one or the other side ot stop plate one or the other ot said notches will opl-,ose the pawl N19. lVhen tube 24 is turned pawl N78 will slip ov r the teeth and prevent incidental rotation o'l the tube in the eppoi-:ite direction until a notch N77 again opposes the pawl.

Trfhen the machine performs its functions the tube is not only locked by the pavfl N1, Y ig'. re 2. but also by an Leshaped lool;A ar N59, Figure 6, influenced by a com- -fl spring' YNmi mounted between pir. rbar N and a shoulder 'orn'xed on the er side oi" the counter casingr O1. One end oi" locking bar N99' is adapted to engage :in aperture N99 formed in tube 24 to ther l locll: this tube during the counting operation. li'hen the machine has counted the articles et an order is desired to produce a printed record speci Avingthe numbers of the va riens hir-ds o' articles as above mentioned, and to this end a strip of paper is pressed against the stereotypic plate 29 by means or a plate V1, Figure 2, which thereby engages ber N91 which passes through the aperture Cl n the counter casinaT and is connected by r; ns of a spring N92 and hooked pin N"3 to the fitted plate S1 torni-ing part of the keyboard. The sprincT N92 tends to draw the member N91 outwardlv. and therefore as soon as the lockingv bar N99 is moved towards the right as explained above the member N91 snaps behind the end of the lockingl bar as shown in Figure G and therebv maintains the same in the retracted position. 1-'lhen the tube 24 is afterwards turned to reset the numeral rines in the Zero pti.. on the projection N94 on tube 24 will slip over the projection N95 on member N91 owing; to the inclined engaging surfaces of these two projections. Hereb'v1 the locking; "T99 is only pressed a little more towards ie right but is not yet released troni the de nt plate N However, when the tube 24 "ain, the projection N9'i will The /ceg/ board.

i pawl 2T, Figure 2, opposite to any desired ni, neral` there is arrairc'ed b v siete o the counter a keyboard provided with as inanj.Y lrejs S1 as there are rings 23 in the group Ac ter. 'l` his key-board comprises plaie .y the lowermost end ot which 1s secured to the 'frame R9. while the top end of the plate is secured to the counter casnjg; Q1. To the rear eide this plate is cured a rail S9, along which the carriage NH mentioned above travels. As shown in Fig;- ure G this rail S9 hasl a Z-shaped cross t tion. The carriage comprises a frame N1, Figure 9. in which there are rotatabl mounted four wheels N99 noon shafts N911. These wheels run on the rail S3 as shown in Figure 6. The carriage :traine is provided with the above mentioned spring pressed push projection N91. To the `liront side of plate S9 there is secured by means of screwsy S, Figure 2. a plate S1 which is furnished in alignment with each key S1 with an inscrip tion indicating a certain kind of articles and longitudinaledges ot"V the strip are secured At cach key i.. the metal strip S2 is provided with a s ot so that the" key may be mounted on the shaft and swing through said slot. rllhe edge ot rail S3 facing upwards in Figure (5 presents a series of notches in alignment with the keys, so that when akey is depressed from the positionshown in full lines to that shown in dotted lines the end ot the key lying' behind plate S2 entersa notch and is maintained and supported therein, whereby itobtainedthat the end ot' the key is not bentv by theV impact ot projection N21 ou the carriage against the key.A

To the rearfside of plateS2 there are secured tour angle plates S11, Figure 2, in which a bar S12 and? a shaft S13 are secured. Each key S1 is providedv with a spring (not shown)` which keeps the inner end ot the key pressed againstthe rod S12 as shown in Figure 6. The shaft S12 carries a swing plate S14 intluenced by a spring S12, which tends to move the swing plate to the position shown in dotted lines, in which the plate bears against lugs S16 on the angle plates S11 and locks any depressed key S1 by means of the edge S12-ot the Aswing plate. The key is retained in this locked position until another keyy is depressed. The inner end ot' this second key will engage a projecting edge S17 on swing plate S141 and thereby push the vedge S1S ot the swing plate away from the` key previously depressed, which, therefore, dueto theaction of its spring immediately swings towards its initial. position adjacent the stop han S12, whereupon the key,v last depressed is locked by the swing plate. Thus itl will be understood that. in any moment only one key S1 is retained in depressed position, i

It' duringthe operation of the machine the cam-sector Q1 is swung downwards and no key S1 has been depressed, none of the numeral rings 23 of the, counter will be turned, since the pawl 27 will be carried to a position below the lowerinost ring 23, and simultaneously the pawl N22 by aV simple mechanism (not shown) is prevented from turning the numeral rings N2. Thus the upon the rear side ot plate S2. CE1

counter is putV completely out otV operation in the case ot pressed.

To the swingplateS1j, Figures 2and 6,

no key S1 having been deis secured an eye S12 which embraces a studv S20 on the lower end of a lever S21 which is mounted'on a pivot S22 journalled in a lug Q5 cast integrally with the counter' casing Q1. The uppermost bifurcated end ot lever S21 engages the locking bar N82, .so that when the latter is disengaged from tube 24 and moved to the position shown in Figure 6, the lever S21 will retract the swing plate Smirom the key depressed as the last one during the counting operation, whereby this key is released. lVhen on the other hand the tube 24 islocked by the end of locking bar N22 engaging theV aperture N25, the stud S20, Figure 2, on lever S21 will, be so positionedv that the swing plate S1t can move freely between the extreme positions shown in Figure 6, thereby locking and unlocking theV depressed keys S1. Thus theswingplate is 'onlyput out ot operation, when the locking bar N22 releases the tube 24;

The printing Zevio-je.

When a number of articles has been counted, one or more printed records of the items set up by theY counters is produced by means of a printing device arranged on the Ylront side ot the counting apparatus. his printing device comprises the pressing plate V1, Figures 2 and 3, to which side plates V2 are secured by means ot screws V3. The pressing plate V1 is mounted to swing towards and away from the stereotypic plate 29 on a horizontal shalt V5 which issecured'in the side plates F2 and F2 and engagesv notches Vt1 formed in the lower edges of4 the. side plates V2 secured on the pressing plate. The pressing plate V1 is actuated by means of a crank V6, Figures L3, provided with a handle V and secured. on a shaft V1 journalled in bearings V 2,' Figures lA and 3, which are carried by side plates V2. These side plates V9 are clamped by means of screws V12 to the counter casing Q1. The said shaft V7 carries between the side plates V 2 two eccentrics V11 which are connected to the pressing plate V1 by means of plate links V12, Figures 2 and 3, one end ot which is provided with a boss V12 encircling the eccentric, while the inner ends of the plate links are rigidly interconnected by a bar V1t engaging notches V15 formed in lugs V1G on the pressing plate V1. Thus it will be understood that the pressing plate is swung on pivot. V5 when the .shaft V7 is turned by actuating the handle V. The bar V14 is maintained in the notches V15 by means of locking pawls V17 pivoted on screws V12 which are secured in the pressing plate V1. y

vWhen the machine performs its counting' operations the crank VG occupies the position diametrically opposite to that shown inFigure l, andthen the pressingA plate V1 lll) is retracted from the stereotypic plate, so that the numeral rings of the counter may be shifted freely.

Between the side plates V2, Figures l-S, a aaper feed roll V19 is mounted on a shaft V21 which iits loosely in holes in said plates and may be removed lengthwise by means of a handle V22, Figure 3. The paper strip V22, Figure 2, passes from the feed roll V12 downwards between two guiding rollers V24t and V27, half round the circumference of the last named roller and then upwards between the stereotypic plate 29 and the Pressing plate V1, the upper end of which is provided with a spring member V22, Figures l and 2, adapted to hold the upper end of the paper strip, and further provided with a toothed plate V22, against which the end of the paper strip when provided with a printed record may be torn ofi'.

The above mentioned roller V22 has a rubber-coated cylindrical surface and is provided with two rigidly secured bearing pins, by means of which the roller is journalled in a bow V23 swinging on pivots V22 secured to the inner side of the plates V2. rlhe roller V22 is pressed yieldingly against the roller V27 by means of a spring V 22 connected at "c pin V20 on bow Vr ne other one en i end e The roller V27 is also provided with a rubber-coated cylindrical surface and is mounted on the side plates V2 by two bearing studs. That bearing pin of the roller V24 which is nearest to the crank V6 passes freely through a curved slot in the adjacent side pla-te V2 and is provided outside the same with a head V25, Figure 3, by means of which the feed roller V22 may .be turned by l 1 w ".4 *fri .i pin V l secured ou s piace r J hand te advance the paper sti-in.

As above mentioned the pressing plate Vl is normally retracted from the stereotypic plate 29. When it is desired to produce a printed record `the crank V6 is rotated one complete revolution, whereby the pressing plate V1 will press the paper strip V2G against the stereotypic plate 29 and also easiest li-e iffj numera rins 2B and N2 appearing in slot 28, and then the pressing plate is moved back again. The desired record thus is printed ou the paper strip by means of an ink ribbon X1 which lies between the stereotypic plate and the paper strip. When the printed record has been made. the paper strip is drawn upwards, and the printed detailed record is turn off against the toothed plate V22.

When the types of the printing device are to be cleansed the pressing plate V1 is removed by swinging the locking pawls V17 upwards, whereby the bar V1 is released and may be swung upwards around shaft V5 as pivot. The pressing plate V1 with paper feed roll V19 and guiding rollers V24 en the and V27 then is lifted out of engagement with shaft V5, drawn somewhat to the right and then removed by being drawn downwards in the space between the counter and the shaft V7.

The feeding device for the ribbon.

The ink ribbon X1 lying between the stereotypic plate 29 and the paper strip V22, Figure 2, has its ends wound on two bobbins X2 and X2 respectively, the lowermost of which X2 is mounted to rotate on shaft V2, while the uppermost bobbin X2 is rotatably mounted on a branch X4 projecting from the stereotypic plate 29. This branch X* is provided with a horizontal. guiding bar X5 over which the inl( ribbon X1 is guided to the bobbin X2. The bobbins X2 and X2 are provided each with a ratchet wheel (not shown) which meshes with spring actuated pawls X7 and X6 respectively. These pawls are pivoted to horizontal arms on opposite ends of a vertical shaft X2 which is mounted to turn and slide vertically in two bearings X2 secured `to the counter easing Q1. At any time only one of these pawls engages the corresponding ratchet wheel, and such engagement is maintained until the ink ribbon has been completely unwound from the other 'zobbin. whereafter X2 displaced vertically to remove the pawl from the wise upwards between the stereotypic plate lf' and then stepwise downwards and so on. The shaft X2 maintained in the uppermost and lowermost positions by means of a spring (not shown) which is placed in the uppermostbearing X2 and adapted to engage one or the other of two spaced circumferential grooves in shaft X2. In Figure 2 the shaft X2 is shown in its top position, in which pawl X6 engages the ratchet wheel on bobbin X2. taken and the pressing plate Vl is thereafter moved to the right of the position shown in Figure 2, the pressing plate Vl engages an arm (not shown) on shaft X2, whereby a small turning movement is imparted to this shaft, so that pawl XG will turn bobbin X3 whereby the ink ribbon is drawn a short step upwards. This operation is repeated until the ink ribbon has been completely Aunwound from bobbin X2. lVhen shaft XS is then turned again, the bobbin X3 can not turn, and thereafter, pawl XG will swing to a vertical position around that end of `the pawl which engages the ratchet wheel. Hereby shaft XS is displaced downwards to bring the other pawl X7 in engagement with the ratchet wheel of bobbin X2. The pawl X7 thereafter remains active, until the ink Vhen a printed record is Uil ribbon has been completely mivvound from bo'bbin X3, whereupon the direction of travelling of the ink ribbon is again reversed. When shaft XS is displaced downwards from the position sliovvn in Figure 2 the paivl XG as indicated above Will occupy a position in prolongation of the shai'it. `When the latter is turned next 'time a spring X10 Will retract the paivl X5 to its normal position relative to shatt- 'S. laivl U is provided With ak similar spring.

Having thus iully described my invention l claim as neiv and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. fr device for counting articles of diterent kinds or `groups, con'iprising a plurality of mutually independent counting units corresponding to the diierent kinds or groups of articles to be counted respectively, a set of keys each of Which correspond to one of said counting units only, an actuating member common to all ot the said Vcountingunits andadapted to be selectively adjusted to operate any desired countiiw unit., and operating means serving to adir-.st the said actuating member in operative position relative to the counting unit corresponding to any depressed key and to cause the actuating member to shift such counting unit.

2. A device Yfor counting articles ot difiereiitkinds or groups, comprising a plurality inde iendently operable counting units corresponding to the diiereiit kinds or groups of articles to be counted respectively, a set of keys corresponding each to a separate counting unit, the counting` units comprising each a numeral ring provided at its outer periphery vvith indicia and at its inner periphery with teeth corresponding' to 'the indicia, a tube, all of said numeral rings being rotatable on said tube, and a swinging` pawl operable through a slot in the said tube to engage the teeth of a ring to turn the saine, said paivl beine' adjustable longitudinally oir' the axis ot the tube to selectively any desired numeral ring in accordance with vhe operation oit the keys.

3. i device for counting articles oit difierent kinds, comprising a plurality of mutually independent counting units corresponding to the ditl'erent kinds of articles to be counted respectively, a set oit keys corresponding each to a separate counting unit, and means including an actuating member common to all or the said counting units for shifting any counting unit when the correspending key is operated, said means comprising a carriage movable along the series oi' keys, driving` means for moving the said actuating member through all its operating positions opposite to the various counting units and a releasable clutch interposed between said driving means and said actuating member and controlled by said carriage, so that when any key is operated and the drivincense? ing means are made active the actuating member performs its movement and the carriage is allowed to move along 'the series ci keys until it is stopped by the operated key, whereby the said clutch is released and the actuating member remains in a position opposite to the counting unit corresponding to the operated key.

et. .fi device for counting articles oi ditiferent kinds, comprising a series oi" keys, a plurality ot numeral rings constituting counting units corresponding each to a separate kind ot the articles to be counted and to )crate key of said series of keys and provided cach at its outer periphery With indicia an co n d te inner periijiiicry with teeth r,nig to the indicia. a tube, all ot ieral rings beiiig rotatable on said 'iig paul operable through `a e i slot in the said tube to envase the teeth o itndinallv o enga e any desired 'nu- .iccoi dance with the operation a :ce movable along the driving lie-ans iter movi the li all its operating positions various nunicral rings and 'iiage along the sei-ies le sliatt arranged cri-axially and toriiiiiig a guide `for 'aid lonfi'ituin ally estable paivl which is non-roti l, .ble on the shaft, a sleeve adapted to slide along said sliait and connected i ith 'l iawl, so as to move together ivith the in the direction of the axis or the tube,

same

second sleeve non-rotatable on `the said shaft but adapted to .2 along` the saine and connected with the ,sid dri ving' means` eleasable clutch interposed between said and having releasing ineens .ccnby the said carriage` and a guiding member having' slot, part o'lf` which parallel to the axis ci thc tube-While anothe part is inclined thereto, said second sleeve liaving a projection Werl iig in said slot, so that when the driving means operate to move the said paivl through its operating positions and to move the said carriage alongl the series ot keys the carri e Will stopped by any depresiicd hey whereby the said clutch is relisted to leave the eaivl in a position opposite to the nuinera ring corresponding to the depressed key, While the said second sleeve continues its inc-vement driven by the driving means and enters the inclined part of the slot at the end of its stroke, whereby this second sleeve as vi'ell as the shaft and the paivl are rocked to thereby shift the numeral ring'.

The device oi'f claim e, iv'th mechanism adi@ the total sum of a totalizing 1 teu to indicate at any time theV heures presented by the numeral rings rotatable on one end of said tube and operated by a single totalizer pawl secured `on said rotatable shaft.

6. The device 'of claim El, in which the keys are mounted to swing on pivots adjacent a plate havingr a series of notches, which are engaged by the keys when they are depressed to thereby support the keys against the impact of the said carriage.

7, Thedevioe of claim 3, in which the keys are mounted to swing on pivots adjacent a plate having a series of notches, which are engaged by the keys when they are depressed to thereby support the keys against the impact of the said carriage, and in which a spring actuated swing plate is adapted to lock any depressed key until another key is depressed, whereby the latter engages the swing plate and pushes the same away from the key previously depressed.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

JENs HLTERMAND. 

